Sculpture at Jamestown Arts Center, Rhode Island

The Navigator
Artist: Jason Sauer
Location: Jamestown Arts Center, Rhode Island
Medium: Salvaged demolition derby car parts

The Navigator is a sculpture crafted from parts of demolition derby cars once driven by artist Jason Sauer. Atop a giant striped bass native to the local bay, St. Brendan, the Patron Saint of the Navy, stands in a small boat, guiding the way. The piece draws on Sauer’s Catholic upbringing and his connection to the armed forces, reflecting both personal and familial ties;his sister, a Marine, was stationed in Newport, RI, while Sauer himself is a decorated Army veteran.

Sauer’s work transforms wreckage into narrative art, exploring themes of destruction, rebirth, and resilience. By repurposing battered cars, he creates monumental sculptures that celebrate imperfection and the beauty found in the scars of history. The Navigator embodies a journey, both literal and metaphorical, through turbulence and renewal, inviting viewers to consider the delicate balance between chaos and serenity, and the enduring pursuit of peace.

https://www.jamestownartcenter.org

Currently installed in front of the Jamestown Art Center in Jamestown, Rhode Island.

Located at 18 Valley Street, Jamestown, RI 02835. 

Our facility is fully wheelchair accessible. Please contact us with any questions or requests for accommodations by email or by calling (401) 560-0979. 

The mission of Jamestown Arts Center is to engage, enrich, and inspire through extraordinary arts and educational experiences. JAC is a community-driven organization founded by artists and dedicated to fostering creativity in all its forms. Education is our cornerstone, offering hands-on experiences that empower individuals to develop artistic skills, explore creative expression, and engage with world-class art.

About the artist

Jason Sauer is a Pittsburgh-based artist and decorated Army veteran known for transforming demolition derby cars into large-scale sculptures and mixed-media works. His process begins by painting cars, crashing them in derbies, salvaging the parts, and then reassembling and painting them into monumental sculptures that explore themes of destruction, rebirth, and resilience. Sauer is the founder of Most Wanted Fine Art (MWFA), which continues to support artists and creative initiatives, and has been recognized for his leadership in the arts, including being named one of Pittsburgh Magazine’s “40 Under 40.” His work celebrates imperfection, survival, and the transformative power of art.